Daily Readings - Tue Jul 31 2018
Jeremiah
17"You shall say to them this word: 'Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people is shattered with a great wound, with a very grievous blow.18If I go out into the field, behold, those pierced by the sword! And if I enter the city, behold, the diseases of famine! For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land and have no knowledge.'"19Have you utterly rejected Judah? Does your soul loathe Zion? Why have you struck us down so that there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror.20We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.21Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.22Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O LORD our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.
Matthew
36Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."37He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.38The field is the world, and the good seed is the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels.40Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age.41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,42and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on suffering, sin, and the ultimate triumph of God’s justice. The first reading from Jeremiah expresses the prophet’s deep sorrow over the suffering of Judah, which has been devastated by war, famine, and exile. Jeremiah laments the people’s affliction and cries out to God, questioning why He seems to have abandoned them. Yet, even in the midst of despair, there is a glimmer of hope: the prophet acknowledges the sins of the people and pleads for God’s mercy, trusting in His covenant promise.
The Gospel reading from Matthew provides a complementary perspective through Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the weeds. While the first reading focuses on the pain of sin and its consequences, the Gospel offers a vision of patience and ultimate justice. Jesus teaches that the world is a field where good and evil coexist, but at the end of time, God will separate the two. The weeds, representing those who lead others astray, will be cast into the fire, while the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. This parable encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even when evil seems to thrive, and to remain faithful in our own lives.
These readings remind us that suffering and sin are part of our human experience, but they also invite us to hope in God’s justice and mercy. Like Jeremiah, we must acknowledge our sins and turn to God with contrite hearts. Like the disciples, we must trust in the ultimate triumph of good over evil. In our daily lives, let us examine our actions and intentions, striving to be “good seeds” in God’s field. May we cultivate patience, perseverance, and faith, knowing that God’s justice will prevail, and His kingdom will shine forth in all its glory.